Most Popular Traditional/Cultural Foods in Nigeria
Nigeria, popularly known as the giant of Africa, is a country in West Africa. A country blessed with human and natural resources. It is believed that there are over 370 ethnic groups and over 500 languages in Nigeria.
Nigerians are known for their resilience, vibrant and friendly energy; hence the phrase "Naija no dey carry last"👐.
The major ethnic groups in Nigeria are Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.
Food is an important element in the culture of each ethnic group. Food brings people together, and sharing a meal is the most communal and binding thing in almost every world. People share their heritage and culture through food.
The Yoruba's: Amala, Gbegiri, Ewedu, and Stew accompanied with any protein of choice
Amala is a meal most Yoruba people enjoy and is made from yam flour. It is important to note that the combination of Gbegiri and Ewedu is called Abula.
Eating Amala and Abula gives you this type of joy that no one can describe. It is a wonderful explosion of deliciousness in your mouth.
A Yoruba party, also known as 'Owanbe', is not complete without Amala and Abula. I mean, are you even a Yoruba boy/girl if you don't like Amala💁.
Mind you, the stew you take with Amala and Abula must be spicy because everyone knows that Yoruba people and spicy foods are like two Siamese twins😅.
Lest I forget it is taboo to eat Amala with any form of cutlery, my dear, you wash your hands and eat Amala with your bare hands.
Just a little hint, if you ever find yourself in Ibadan, Oyo State, please go to a restaurant called 'Amala Skye' located at Bodija, Ibadan. They make the best Amala and Abula in the world. Oh yes, I said it!😋😊
The Igbo's: Abacha
Igbo people are from the Eastern part of Nigeria. They are a group of hard-working and highly industrious people. They have a rich traditional past and have respected culture and customs in many aspects of their daily existence.
Abacha is an Eastern Nigerian dish made using dried, shredded cassava. It is popularly eaten and enjoyed by most Igbo people.
The best places to enjoy Abacha are the local joint or beer parlor and the ones hawked by women in various markets in the East.
You can also accompany your Abacha with Palm wine for maximum enjoyment. Abacha can be eaten as a snack or a full meal. There is a debate about whether Abacha can be eaten cold or hot. I guess this depends on individual preferences.
The Hausa's: Masa
Hausa, people in the Northern part of Nigeria, constitute the largest ethnic group in West and Central Africa. This ethnic group has about 24 million people in Nigeria.
They are people with diverse cultural practices with similar homogeneous beliefs and customs. A large number of the Hausa population are Muslims.
Masa is a traditional food of the Hausa people. It is made with rice; this dish is inexpensive and easy to prepare. It is also delicious, nutritious, and filling.
Masa can be eaten alone or eaten with a sauce or soup. The most popular soup eaten with Masa is pumpkin soup.
Masa can also be consumed with Yaji spice. Yaji spice is a chile, ginger, garlic, and onion powder blend.
Hope you liked this content? What's your cultural food, and how do you eat it? Reply in the comment section😊.
Written by Doyin Oyewo
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